Christmas Countdown
The holidays bring back such wonderful memories for me. But
it's not the gifts I received that I remember so much, as the
feelings of anticipation and excitement I felt waiting for the
glorious day to arrive. Back then, I thought the presents under
the tree is what made Christmas so magical. Now I know
otherwise. As I think about this, I want to teach my children to
understand and recognize the true spirit of Christmas. I know
they feel just as I did as a child and I want to make sure they
realize that if those feelings of anticipation and wonderment
are wrapped with love and service, they will have a magical
Christmas every year. This year I've decided to make a Christmas
Countdown calendar. Any calendar will do: one that you are
already using or a printed or hand- made December calendar.
Anything that you can hang on your wall or even set on your
Christmas tree will work. I'm going to write fun ideas or
scripture verses on each slip of paper and stick it to the
calendar. Each night after dinner, I will have one of them
choose the slip of paper for the day and read what is on it.
Then we as a family will do the suggested activity. Here are a
few ideas: *Write a kind note for someone in your family and
hide it for him or her to find it. *Show your love for a
brother, sister or friend by helping him or her in some way.
*Show your parents you love them by helping without being asked.
*Sing Christmas songs with your family. *Write in your journal
about how you feel about your family. *Work with your family to
do something nice for a neighbor. *Ask your parents or
grandparents to tell you about Christmases when they were young.
*Write a note or draw a picture to thank someone who has helped
you. *Make a list of blessings that make you happy and hang it
in your bedroom. *Make Christmas cookies and goodies. *Deliver
the goodies you made to friends, neighbors and elderly. If you
want to make it really fun, deliver them anonymously as a
"secret Santa." *Go caroling with your family. These are just a
few ideas that can be used. You will probably come up with more.
Think of as many as you can and start your Christmas countdown
according to the number of ideas you have (if you have ten
ideas, start eleven days before Christmas). Try to save a
special activity for Christmas Eve if you don't already have a
traditional Christmas Eve activity planned. Remember, the idea
is to spend time as a family and teach your children the true
spirit of Christmas.